Charles Barkley and Kendrick Perkins have had some occasional back-and-forths over the years.

Tonight, the two are engaged in a war of words that Barkley started during Thursday’s Inside the NBA.

The NBA legend and outspoken pundit took exception to Perkins’ argument this week that the Los Angeles Lakers “saved” the NBA by trading for Luka Doncic. In his comments, Barkley called out Perkins by name and referred to the former Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder center as “a fool.”

“I saw a fool, idiot, on TV talking about the Lakers saved the NBA,” Barkley said. “He’s an idiot and a fool, but you know who he is. … Kendrick Perkins. First of all, the Lakers are having a great two weeks.

He said, the Lakers saved the NBA season. That’s because them fools on the other network, which we’re gonna be working for next year, that’s all they talk about.

Let me tell y’all something – and first of all, I want all the smoke. I don’t whistle when I walk by the graveyard or anything like that.

… The Lakers are doing great. Got a long way to go. The season’s been going great for the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Y’all just want to talk about the Warriors and the Lakers.”

Well, Perkins was not going to take that criticism quietly. Within minutes, he had typed out a response to his future colleague on X/Twitter.

CHICAGO, IL – MAY 18: ESPN Analyst, Kendrick Perkins, reports on the 2022 NBA Draft Combine on May 18, 2022 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

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“Hey @NBAonTNT might wanna tell that senior citizen Charles Barkley that I’ll be around,” Perkins began. “When he see an idiot or fool in person make sure he keep that same energy.

He can come playing with me if he want to and imma Address his ass like the numbers on a house. Straight from the 409 homeboy and we bar none and fade all. #TexasBoy.”

Chuck did say he wanted all the smoke, and Perk seems to be content to give it to him.

Not to be outdone, Stephen A. Smith also got involved, though he made it clear in his tweet to Barkley that there’s no real animosity between the two.

“Yo Chuck, stop the b.s. with the “y’all.” Attach a name to it. I know I’ve been talking about @cavs being the No.1 threat to the @Celtics .

Once you come over here, there’s gonna be some folks waiting to call YOU a fool. P.S. You know I love ya, though. See y’all soon. Yo @TheJetOnTNT ….workbook those free throws. Love y’all,’ Smith wrote.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 14: Head coach Stephen A. Smith of Team Stephen A. looks on before the 2020 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Presented By Ruffles at Wintrust Arena on February 14, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images.

Next year, with Turner Sports’ contract with the NBA running out, ESPN has the rights to Inside the NBA.

That means that Barkley, Perkins and Smith will all be broadcast on the same airwaves, which should make for some fun TV.

We’ll see if anything more comes out of tonight’s beef.